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 NEWS-DIGEST

ARTICLE 1- Lactose intolerance

By- Maryam Khan,
Research Scholar,
A.M.U, India.
Email Id- maryambiochem@gmail.com
Research Interest- Nanobiotechnology

Lactose intolerance is a medical condition in which the person is unable to digest milk and its products.
It is because of the deficiency of an enzyme lactase. The lactose intolerance is a global problem.
Surprisingly, only one-third of adults from the total human population are able to digest lactose, while
the rest are incapable of digesting milk and its products. The only solution to overcome this problem is
the availability of lactose-free milk. By the use of an enzyme named β-galactosidase, lactose can be
easily hydrolyzed in milk and its products. The lactose-free products thus formed have improved
sweetness and are easily digestible to the lactose intolerant patients. This enzyme is widely distributed
in bacteria, fungi, and yeasts.
As the commercial enzymes are too expensive, less stable and non-reusable, their direct application at
industrial scale is limited. Enzyme immobilization is an important tool, capable of rendering the
application of these biocatalysts in the industrial sector by providing reusability, operational long-term
stability, and continuous processing. The conventional supports previously used for immobilization
process were organic and inorganic in nature. However, they do not provide adequate stability and
activity to the bound enzyme.
Nanomaterials in the size range of 1 -100 nm possess exceptionally high properties not found in their
bulk counterparts. Because of their extremely small size and larger surface area, enzymes can be
efficiently adsorbed or covalently attached on their surfaces. Recently, researchers have gained extreme
interest in carbon-based products because of their unique electrical, mechanical, thermal and optical
properties within a single sheet of sp2 bonded carbon atoms. Carbon based nanocomposites comprising
graphene (Gr) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to immobilize Aspergillus oryzae β-
galactosidase have been primarily focussed in our research work. Magnetic character of Gr@Fe3O4 NC
was looked upon due to ease of separation of the bound enzyme from the reaction product. Both
Gr@Fe3O4 NC and Polyaniline-Co-MWCNT-NC proved to be ideal supports in terms of high enzyme
loading, improved stability and excellent reusability characteristics.
In a recent study, a biodegradable green nanocomposite comprising of chitosan and silver was
synthesized and β-galactosidase was physically adsorbed on its surface. Surprisingly, the activity yield
of the polyaniline chitosan silver nanocomposite (PANICSAgNC) bound β-galactosidase crossed 100%.
Remarkable enhancement in the catalytic activity and stability of β-galactosidase on binding to
PANICSAg-NC was observed when compared to all other preparations like Gr@Fe3O4-NC bound β-
galactosidase and PANICoMWCNTNC bound β-galactosidase used in our previous studies.
To summarize, all the preparations used were found to be an ideal and novel supports for
immobilization of β-galactosidase. Due to the excellent characteristics possessed in terms of activity and
reusability, these nano-biocatalysts can be employed for efficient hydrolysis of lactose from milk and its
products. Lastly, genotoxic assessment revealed these supports as biocompatible and safe to be used in
the food processing industries. Lactose-free milk thus formed will be a boon for the people suffering
from lactose intolerance. Furthermore, this nano-biocatalyst can also be engaged in assemblage of a
nano-biosensor for lactose detection to check the quality of milk.
 NEWS-DIGEST

ARTICLE 2 – The heart insulin (Ouabain)

By- Hinata Sora,
Researcher,
Doho University, Japan.
Email Id: hinatasot@yahoo.co.jp
Research Interest- Medicine

Modulation of myocardial metabolism has become an accepted new approach to improve the
performance of dysfunctional myocardium. Alternatively, proven agents such as digitalis glycosides
continue to be of interest. Digoxin is still used extensively worldwide, and it remains one of the most
commonly prescribed drugs. The Digitalis Investigation Group trial has indicated that digoxin is quite
effective in reducing cardiovascular hospitalizations. However, arrhythmia and a narrow therapeutic
index restrict its therapeutic application. Although often used as research tool, the cardiac glycoside
ouabain (referred to as g-Strophanthin in German) has become a great product in treatment of heart
diseases. Decades of practical use indicate its benefits in prevention and treatment of acute cardiac
attacks. Prophylactic and therapeutic use of ouabain is recommended in insufficiencies of the left
ventricle. Significant clinical studies with orally administered ouabain report positive results for the
treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These clinical findings disappeared in due course of time, yet it is
evident that ouabain is effective in the treatment of heart disease. In 1990s, ouabain was identified as an
endogenous hormone. This has led to an intense re-examination of the drug, its physiological functions
and its mode of action.
Due to its chemical structure, ouabain is considered as a typical digitalis derivative. All digitalis
derivatives bind to and inhibit the ubiquitous Trans-membrane protein Na+, K+-ATPase and increase
the force of contraction of the heart muscles. However, there are cellular and metabolic responses to
different derivatives. There are significant differences between the effects of digoxin and ouabain.
Ouabain even in small doses stimulates the Na-pump, whereas digoxin does not show similar effects.
Moreover, digoxin was shown to induce changes in intracellular membrane traffic in neuronal cells,
whereas ouabain does not possess this ability and even antagonized digoxin effect.
A recent study confirmed the long-known clinical findings that ouabain has an inhibitory effect on
cardio toxicity induced by digitalis glycosides. Ouabain at a low dosage delayed the start of arrhythmia
induced by digoxin on guinea pig papillary muscle. In addition, ouabain at a low dosage but not at a
high dosage delayed the development of digoxin-induced arrhythmia in anaesthetized guinea pigs.
Thus, the long-known characteristic and dose dependency of ouabain effects has been confirmed.
 NEWS-DIGEST

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